ObjectiveTo establish a new noninvasive， simple， and convenient clinical predictive model by identifying independent predictive factors for rebleeding after endoscopic therapy in cirrhotic patients with esophagogastric variceal bleeding （EGVB）， and to provide a basis for individualized risk assessment and development of clinical intervention strategies. MethodsCirrhotic patients with EGVB who were diagnosed and treated in The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Medical University from September 2018 to October 2023 were enrolled as subjects， and according to whether the patient experienced rebleeding within 1 year after endoscopic therapy， they were divided into rebleeding group with 93 patients and non-rebleeding group with 84 patients. Clinical data were collected and analyzed. The independent samples t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups， and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups； the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. A Logistic model was established based on the results of the univariate and multivariate analyses， and the receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve and the area under the ROC curve （AUC） were used to assess the accuracy of the model. R software was used to visualize the model by plotting a nomogram， and the Bootstrap method was used for internal validation of the model. ResultsThe multivariate analysis showed that red blood cell count （RBC）， cholinesterase （ChE）， alkaline phosphatase （ALP）， albumin （Alb）， thrombin time （TT）， portal vein trunk diameter， sequential therapy， and primary prevention were independent predictive factors for rebleeding. Based on the results of the multivariate analysis， a logistic model was established as logit（P）=-0.805-1.978×（RBC）+0.001×（ChE）-0.020×（ALP）-0.314×（Alb）+0.567×（TT）+0.428×（portal vein trunk diameter）-2.303×［sequential therapy （yes=1， no=0）］-2.368×［primary prevention （yes=1， no=0）］. The logistic model （AUC=0.928， 95% confidence interval ［CI］： 0.893—0.964， P<0.001） had a better performance in predicting rebleeding than MELD score （AUC=0.603， 95%CI： 0.520—0.687， P=0.003）， Child-Pugh class （AUC=0.650， 95%CI： 0.578—0.722， P=0.001）， and FIB-4 index （AUC=0.587， 95%CI： 0.503—0.671， P=0.045）. The model had an optimal cut-off value of 0.607， a sensitivity of 0.817， and a specificity of 0.817. Internal validation confirmed that the model had good predictive performance and accuracy. ConclusionSequential therapy， implementation of primary prevention， an increase in RBC， and an increase in Alb are protective factors against rebleeding， while prolonged TT and widened main portal vein diameter are risk factors. The logistic model based on these independent predictive factors can predict rebleeding and thus holds promise for clinical application.

Objective:To investigate the role and potential mechanism of m 6A demethylase ALKBH5 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) . Methods:Real time fluorogenic quantitative PCR and Western blotting were used to detect ALKBH5 expression in normal esophageal epithelial cells (Het-1A) and ESCC cell lines (Eca109, KYSE30, KYSE150, KYSE410). Transient cell lines with overexpression/knockdown of ALKBH5 (siRNA transfection was divided into si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group) and control cell lines were constructed. The effects of ALKBH5 on ESCC cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis were studied by MTT assay, cell scratch assay and cell apoptosis assay respectively. The differentially expressed gene was screened by the intersection of RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-seq) techniques, and the effect of ALKBH5 on the gene expression was detected by RT-qPCR.Results:Real time fluorogenic quantitative PCR results showed that, the relative expression levels of ALKBH5 RNA in Het-1A, Eca109, KYSE30, KYSE150 and KYSE410 were 1.03±0.28, 0.46±0.02, 0.23±0.10, 0.04±0.02, 0.05±0.00, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=444.60, P<0.001). Western blotting showed that, the relative expression levels of ALKBH5 protein in Het-1A, Eca109, KYSE30, KYSE150 and KYSE410 were 1.14±0.03, 0.88±0.04, 0.66±0.01, 0.69±0.01, 0.95±0.01, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=139.90, P<0.001). MTT test showed that the absorbance ( A) values of KYSE30 control group and ALKBH5 overexpression group were 0.86±0.01 and 1.25±0.01 after 72 hours, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( t=46.93, P<0.001). The A values of KYSE150 control group and ALKBH5 overexpression group were 1.00±0.03 and 1.43±0.02 after 72 hours, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( t=16.80, P<0.001). The A values of KYSE30 control group, si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group were 0.98±0.01, 0.85±0.02 and 0.80±0.09 after 96 hours, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=72.97, P<0.001). The A values of KYSE30 control group were higher than those of si-ALKBH5-1 and si-ALKBH5-2 groups (both P<0.001). The A values of KYSE410 control group, si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group were 1.28±0.02, 1.15±0.02 and 1.08±0.05 after 72 hours, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=16.97, P=0.003). The A values in KYSE410 control group were higher than those in si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group ( P=0.020; P=0.003). The cell scratch test showed that 48 hours after scratch, the migration rates of KYSE30 cells in control group and ALKBH5 overexpression group were (27.39±0.54) % and (48.89±5.12) %, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( t=5.90, P=0.004). The migration rates of KYSE150 cells in control group and ALKBH5 overexpression group were (39.67±0.43) % and (62.20±0.60) %, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( t=43.15, P<0.001). The migration rates of KYSE30 cells in control group, si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group were (25.08±1.86) %, (18.75±1.59) % and (7.67±0.52) %, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=74.28, P<0.001). The migration rates of KYSE30 cells in control group were higher than those of si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group ( P=0.010; P<0.001). The migration rates of KYSE410 cells in control group and si-ALKBH5-1 group, si-ALKBH5-2 group were (38.70±0.41) %, (28.27±1.01) % and (19.40±0.47) %, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=400.20, P<0.001). The migration rates of KYSE410 cells in control group were higher than those of si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group (both P<0.001). Apoptosis test showed that the apoptosis rates of KYSE30 cells in control group and ALKBH5 overexpression group were (9.59±0.88) % and (4.81±0.89) %, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( t=6.23, P=0.006). The apoptosis rates of KYSE150 cells in control group and ALKBH5 overexpression group were (8.36±0.09) % and (6.42±0.19) %, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( t=12.90, P<0.001). The apoptosis rates of KYSE30 cells in control group, si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group were (4.31±0.19) %, (5.72±0.30) % and (8.94±0.71) %, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=53.46, P<0.001). The apoptosis rates in KYSE30 cells in control group were lower than those in si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group ( P=0.049; P<0.001). The apoptosis rates of KYSE410 control group, si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group were (4.45±0.36) %, (5.40±0.11) % and (6.64±0.15) %, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=43.36, P<0.001). The apoptosis rates in KYSE410 cells in control group were lower than those in si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group ( P=0.016; P<0.001). The differentially expressed gene IGF2BP3 was screened by the intersection of RNA-seq and MeRIP-seq techniques, and the RT-qPCR results showed that, the relative expression levels of IGF2BP3 in KYSE30 were 1.01±0.10 and 1.41±0.10 in control group and ALKBH5 overexpression group, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( t=4.06, P=0.015). The relative expression levels of IGF2BP3 in KYSE150 were 1.00±0.10 and 1.94±0.24 in control group and ALKBH5 overexpression group, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( t=5.08, P=0.007). The relative expression levels of IGF2BP3 in KYSE410 were 1.01±0.14, 0.67±0.04 and 0.41±0.04 in control group, si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=24.36, P=0.001). The relative expression levels of IGF2BP3 in KYSE410 control group were higher than those in si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group ( P=0.017; P=0.001) . Conclusions:ALKBH5 is underexpressed in ESCC cell lines, but the overexpression of ALKBH5 can promote the proliferation and migration of ESCC cells and inhibit cell apoptosis, which may be related to some negative feedback regulation mechanism. IGF2BP3 may be the downstream target of ALKBH5.

AIM: To assess the stability of the tear film and the characteristics of corneal nerves in patients with Parkinson's disease(PD).METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study included 72 PD patients and 50 healthy controls. Disease severity was determined using the Hoehn-Yahr(H-Y)scale, dividing patients into mild and moderate PD groups. Dry eye symptoms were evaluated via the ocular surface disease index(OSDI)questionnaire, while tear secretion was quantified using the Schirmer I test. Ocular surface damage was assessed through staining scores, and comprehensive ocular examinations were performed utilizing the LipiView ocular surface interferometer and an ocular surface analyzer. Corneal nerve parameters were examined using corneal confocal microscopy in conjunction with automated analysis software ACCMetrics, with correlations drawn between these parameters, PD course, and severity.RESULTS: PD patients exhibited significantly elevated OSDI scores, indicative of more pronounced dry eye symptoms compared to the control group(F=70.290, P<0.01). Tear film stability was markedly compromised, with significantly shorter tear film breakup time and increased corneal fluorescein staining, both showing statistically significant differences relative to controls(all P<0.01). Tear secretion indices, including Schirmer I test results and tear meniscus height, were significantly reduced in PD patients(all P<0.01), whereas lipid secretion indices, such as lipid layer thickness and meibomian gland dropout score, did not show significant variation. Corneal nerve analysis revealed significant reductions in corneal nerve fiber density, nerve branch density, fiber length, and total branch density in PD patients compared to controls(all P<0.01). Furthermore, blink frequency was markedly prolonged(F=62.353, P<0.01). Correlation analysis demonstrated a significant relationship between alterations in tear film stability and both disease duration and H-Y scores.CONCLUSION: PD patients have obvious dry eye manifestations in the early stage of the disease, including the reduction of tear film stability and corneal nerve fiber density, and gradually aggravate with the progress of the disease. Neurodegenerative disease-related dry eye needs to be diagnosed early and actively treated.

Liver cirrhosis is the terminal stage of various chronic liver diseases， with the main clinical manifestation of portal hypertension， which can lead to spontaneous portosystemic shunt （SPSS）. SPSS is very common in clinical practice and is closely associated with the prognosis of patients. This article summarizes the recent studies in the clinical significance of cirrhotic portal hypertension with SPSS， the controversies in studies， and the current status and future prospects and challenges of treatment， in order to provide a reference for the standardized diagnosis and treatment of portal hypertension.

Objective To explore the safety of Yttrium-90 resin microsphere selective internal radiation therapy (⁹⁰Y-SIRT) on malignant liver tumors. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 64 patients with malignant liver tumors who underwent ⁹⁰Y-SIRT from February 2023 to November 2024 at Weifang People’s Hospital. The clinical characteristics of the patients and the occurrence of adverse reactions after treatment were analyzed to assess the safety of ⁹⁰Y-SIRT. Results Among the 64 patients, there were 52 males (81.25%) and 12 females (18.75%); the average age was (56.29±11.08) years. Seven patients (10.94%) had tumors with maximum diameter of less than 5 cm, 38 patients (59.38%) had tumors with maximum diameter of 5-10 cm, and 19 patients (29.68%) had tumors with maximum diameter of greater than 10 cm. There were 47 cases (73.44%) of solitary lesions and 17 cases (26.56%) of multiple lesions; 53 cases (82.81%) were primary liver cancers and 11 cases (17.19%) were metastatic liver cancers. Of the 64 patients, 63 successfully completed the Technetium-99m macroaggregated albumin (^99mTc-MAA) perfusion test and received the ⁹⁰Y-SIRT; one patient received ⁹⁰Y-SIRT after the second ^99mTc-MAA perfusion test due to a work error. The most common adverse reactions included grade 1 alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation in 26 cases (40.62%) and grade 2 in 2 cases (9.37%), grade 1 aspartate aminotransferase (AST) elevation in 27 cases (42.18%) and grade 2 in 7 cases (10.93%); grade 1 nausea in 17 cases (26.56%) and grade 2 in 6 cases (9.37%); grade 1 abdominal pain in 12 cases (18.75%), grade 2 in 5 cases (7.81%), and grade 3 in 1 case (1.56%); grade 1 vomiting in 11 cases (17.18%), grade 2 in 5 cases (7.81%), and grade 3 in 1 case (1.56%). Conclusion The adverse reactions of ⁹⁰Y-SIRT for treating malignant liver tumors are mild, indicating good safety.

AIM:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of 0.05% cyclosporine eye drops(Ⅱ)combined with sodium hyaluronate eye drops in treating patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)and moderate-to-severe dry eye.METHODS:A total of 120 T2DM patients(120 eyes)with moderate-to-severe dry eye, treated at the endocrinology and ophthalmology departments at the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2024 to September 2024, were enrolled in the study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: combination group [0.05% cyclosporine eye drops(Ⅱ)+ sodium hyaluronate eye drops] and control group(sodium hyaluronate eye drops alone), with 60 cases(60 eyes)in each group. Assessments were conducted at baseline and at 1, 2, and 3 mo post-treatment, including the ocular surface disease index(OSDI), non-contact tear meniscus height(NITMH), first non-invasive tear breakup time(NIBUTf), meibomian gland loss score, lipid layer thickness grade, conjunctival hyperemia grade, and corneal fluorescein staining(FL)score. At 3 mo after treatment, changes in tear inflammatory factors were observed, and corneal subbasal nerve plexus(SBN)morphology/density were analyzed using in vivo confocal microscopy(IVCM).RESULTS:At 1, 2, and 3 mo post-treatment, both groups showed statistically significant increases in NITMH and NIBUTf compared to baseline(all P<0.05), with greater improvement observed in the combination group(both P<0.05). OSDI and FL scores significantly decreased from baseline(all P<0.05), with more pronounced reductions in the combination group(both P<0.05). Meibomian gland loss scores showed no significant improvement in either group(all P>0.05). At 3 mo after treatment, tear levels of interleukin 6(IL-6)and matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9)significantly decreased in both groups(all P<0.001), with a greater reduction noted in the combination group(both P<0.001). The combination group displayed increased corneal nerve branch density and nerve fiber density, along with decreased nerve tortuosity and dendritic cell(DC)density compared to baseline(all P<0.001), while the control group did not show significant changes(all P>0.05).CONCLUSION: The combination of 0.05% cyclosporine eye drops(Ⅱ)and sodium hyaluronate eye drops significantly improves clinical outcomes in T2DM patients with moderate-to-severe dry eye. This treatment effectively alleviates ocular surface inflammation, restores corneal nerve morphology and density, and demonstrates a favorable safety profile.

AIM: To explore the risk factors associated with diabetic retinopathy(DR)based on ultra-widefield swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography(UWF-SS-OCTA), and to establish a clinical prediction model.METHODS:A total of 235 patients(235 eyes)with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were treated in the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from July to November 2024 were selected as the research objects. According to the presence or absence of DR, they were divided into 120 cases(120 eyes)in non-DR group(NDR group)and 115 cases(115 eyes)in non-proliferative DR group(NPDR group). Data on general characteristics, laboratory tests, and OCTA results were collected for both groups. Univariate analysis was employed to identify DR-related risk factors. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze these risk factors and to establish a DR prediction model. The efficacy of the model was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis(DCA).RESULTS: The duration of diabetes, fasting blood glucose, blood urea nitrogen(BUN), history of hypertension, and the choroidal vascular index(CVI)were found to be statistically significant in the model(all P<0.05). Specifically, the duration of diabetes, fasting blood glucose, BUN, and history of hypertension were identified as risk factors for DR among diabetic patients, while CVI was recognized as a protective factor. The area under the curve for the model predicting the probability of DR was 0.898(0.859-0.938), with a diagnostic threshold of 0.438. The corresponding sensitivity and specificity were 87.8% and 78.3%, respectively, indicating that the model possesses high predictive value for the occurrence of DR.CONCLUSION: The duration of diabetes, fasting blood glucose, BUN, history of hypertension, and CVI are significantly correlated with DR. The established prediction model demonstrates a substantial screening capability for DR.

Ethical reflections on the doctor-patient relationship from the perspective of a better life involve not only the revelation of realistic concerns but also the elucidation of coping approaches， as well as the interpretation of value orientations. Based on the realistic concerns of trust crisis， the ambiguity of responsibilities and powers， and the lack of humanity faced in the construction of the doctor-patient relationship from the perspective of a better life， it is an innovative attempt to eliminate doctor-patient tensions and reshape a reasonable doctor-patient relationship by exploring the path of response in dialogue ethics based on intersubjectivity and effective negotiation， institutional ethics based on normativism and the interweaving of morality and law， and care ethics based on reverence for life and emotional resonance. This practical narrative of responding to and reshaping the doctor-patient relationship in a better life with an ethical approach reveals the values of harmony， justice， and happiness.

AIM:To quantitatively assess the early alterations of retinal and choroidal microcirculation and microstructure in systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)patients without coexisting retinopathy via ultra-widefield swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography(UWF SS-OCTA).METHODS:Cross-sectional study. Totally 64 cases(64 eyes)that diagnosed as SLE without associated retinopathy at the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from May to October 2024 were enrolled as the study group(Randomly assign one eye to the study group). Simultaneously, age-and gender-matched healthy individuals were recruited as the control group. All participants underwent UWF SS-OCTA. The deep capillary plexus(DCP), superficial capillary plexus(SCP), total retina, choriocapillaris(CC), as well as the choroidal medium and large vessel density(VD)in both the central and peripheral retinal areas of both groups of patients were compared. Additionally, parameters such as choroidal vascularity volume(CVV), choroidal vascularity index(CVI), thickness of the inner retina, outer retina, entire retina, and choroid in both central and peripheral area. SLE patients were categorized into three subgroups based on the SLE disease activity index(SLEDAI-2K), including 20 cases(20 eyes)in mild-and no-activity group(SLEDAI-2K≤6), 20 cases(20 eyes)in moderate-activity group(7

Objective:To investigate the pathogen distribution, temporal trends in the rates of antimicrobial resistance, and susceptibility of bloodstream isolates and comparatively explore the epidemiological characteristics of bloodstream infections in hematology departments across 56 healthcare facilities in Guangdong Province from 2020 to 2024.Methods:A multicenter analysis was conducted to evaluate the constituent ratio of different pathogens isolated from clinical isolate data from bloodstream specimens in hematology, respiratory, and intensive care unit (ICU) departments across 56 healthcare facilities in Guangdong Province (2020-2024), and antimicrobial resistance trends in pathogens with high-detection rate over 5 years were assessed. Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative organisms (CRO) were randomly sampled for carbapenemase gene detection and in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility tests with novel antimicrobial agents.Results:From 2020 to 2024, a total of 8 968, 6 440, and 25 511 bloodstream isolates were identified in the hematology, respiratory, and ICU departments, respectively, across 56 participating facilities in Guangdong Province, with significant differences in the pathogen constituent ratio among departments ( P<0.001). Notably, the hematology department demonstrated a predominance of Escherichia coli (24.1%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (17.5%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11.7%), coagulase-negative Staphylococci (15.2%), and Staphylococcus aureus (5.1%). In the resistance analysis, the rates of meropenem resistance of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia increased from 6.7% and 5.8% (2020) to 14.0% and 15.8% (2024), respectively. Conversely, Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibited a declining trend in the rate of meropenem resistance (6.2% to 1.9%) and imipenem (10.2% to 6.1%) during the same period. Acinetobacter baumannii demonstrated a biphasic resistance pattern to common antimicrobial agents, characterized by an initial decline, followed by a rebound. In this study, the susceptibility rates to conventional antimicrobial agents were significantly higher in Staphylococcus aureus versus coagulase-negative Staphylococci, with no glycopeptide- or linezolid-resistant strains detected. Notably, the prevalence of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium increased from 0 in 2020 to 23.1% in 2024. CRO carbapenemase phenotypes through active surveillance revealed that 80% Escherichia coli isolates were carrying blaNDM, 90% Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were carrying blaKPC, 10% Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were carrying blaVIM, and 100% Acinetobacter baumannii were carrying blaOXA-23. The results of the antimicrobial susceptibility test in CRO revealed that carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli (CRECO) demonstrated a 0 resistance rate to tigecycline, polymyxin B, and aztreonam/avibactam, whereas carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae exhibited a 0 resistance rate to aztreonam/avibactam, ceftazidime/avibactam, and imipenem/relebactam. Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibited a 95.0% susceptibility rate to amikacin and polymyxin B, with a 45.0% resistance rate to ceftazidime/avibactam. In contrast, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii demonstrated complete susceptibility (100.0%) to sulbactam/durlobactam (MIC90=2 μg/ml), whereas eravacycline showed MIC50 and MIC90 values of 1 and 2 μg/ml, respectively. Conclusion:The pathogen constituent ratio of bloodstream isolates differed significantly among hematology, respiratory, and ICU departments. Notably, although CRO exhibited an escalating prevalence, it sustained high susceptibility to novel antimicrobial agents.